Ilube eye drops help with the symptoms and cause of dry eyes. If you’re struggling to produce tears, Ilube eye drops can help. They reduce the stickiness that you can get from tears, and stop the sore, gritty and painful feeling that dry eyes may trigger.
Using Ilube eye drops can also prevent complications from dry eyes like blurred vision, small tears on the cornea and eye infections. Leaving dry eyes untreated can be uncomfortable and cause future eye health problems.
How do Ilube eye drops work?
Ilube eye drops contain 5% of the active ingredient acetylcysteine. Acetylcysteine thins the mucus in the eye, working to break down sticky tears which can cause dryness. So it helps your tear production and can fix the causes of dry eyes.
They also contain a small amount of hypromellose and come as a liquid solution, which means they’re a lubricant too. So Ilube eye drops also provide immediate relief from the symptoms of dry eyes. The sore, uncomfortable feeling of dry eyes should be lessened immediately after you use the drops.
What doses of Ilube eye drops are there?
Ilube eye drops only come as a 5% solution of acetylcysteine, in a 10ml bottle. The recommended dose of Ilube eye drops is usually one to two drops in the affected eye three or four times a day. If you have symptoms in both eyes, apply them to both. How much you need to use exactly will depend on your symptoms. Our clinician will tell you how many drops you need. If you find that your dose isn’t working for you, you can log into your account and send us a message if you’re using our service. We can explore alternative treatment options with you from there.
Ilube Eye DropsAcetylcysteine
How to use Ilube eye drops
Always use Ilube eye drops as advised by your clinician. If you have any questions, ask your clinician or message us if you’re using our service.
If you’re using it for the first time, you’ll need to attach the dropper to the bottle. To do this:
Lift the side of the top of the bottle;
Remove the yellow plastic disc and the attached ring;
Take the black rubber bung away;
Open the plastic bag and take the dropper out;
Push the dropper onto the top of the bottle.
To use the drops:
Wash your hands clean;
Unscrew the cap from the top of the dropper;
Tilt back your head;
Put the dropper close to your eye. Don’t touch your eye or eyelids with the dropper, as you might contaminate the drops;
Pull your lower eyelid down with a finger on your free hand;
Press on the middle of the dropper to release the drops. Don’t do it too hard;
Drop the directed amount of Ilube into your eye;
Close your eye for 30 seconds.
If you’re applying Ilube drops to both eyes, repeat these steps for the other eye.
How long does it take Ilube eye drops to work?
Ilube eye drops will provide some instant relief from dry eye symptoms due to the lubricant effect. If you’re using it for acute dry eyes, you should see a major improvement within a few days. If not, go back to your clinician or message us if you’re using our service. It’s also safe and effective to use if you have a condition that causes chronic dry eyes.
Once opened, the bottle only lasts for 28 days. So make sure to buy more Ilube before it goes out of date, or sign up for our flexible subscriptions. You can choose how often you’d like to receive your eye drops from our pharmacy.
What should I do if I make a mistake when using Ilube eye drops?
If you miss your eye when you’re using Ilube eye drops, just try again. If you put more drops in than you should, close your eyes and rinse around them with clean, warm water. If you forget to use Ilube eye drops, just apply them as soon as you remember. Don’t put in more drops than usual to make up for forgetting some.
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Ilube Eye DropsAcetylcysteine
Ilube Eye DropsAcetylcysteine
FAQ: Ilube Eye Drops
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How are Ilube eye drops different from other treatments for dry eyes?
Answer:
Ilube eye drops are currently the only eye drops available with the active ingredient acetylcysteine. It doesn’t just lubricate the eyes like most other eye drops (or artificial tears); it also attacks an underlying cause of dry eyes. The acetylcysteine in Ilube drops can help your eyes produce tears more effectively, as well as easing your symptoms.
How effective are Ilube eye drops?
Answer:
Ilube eye drops have shown to be effective. In one study, 60% of patients found that eye drops containing acetylcysteine were more effective than eye drops that were only formulated to lubricate the eyes.
Eye drops containing acetylcysteine have also proven effective for long term management of dry eyes. A study found that patients with dry eye disease treated with acetylcysteine drops for a month had both increased tear production and less sticky tears. They also showed a large improvement in eye health, with the amount of patients with healthy corneas rising from 12% to 64% after a month of treatment with the drops.
Can I use Ilube eye drops with other types of eye drops?
Answer:
You can usually use other lubricating eye drops as well as Ilube eye drops, but you should check with your clinician to be sure. If you’re using other eye drops, you should wait at least ten minutes between applying them to your eyes. It’s best to use Ilube drops last, so they can work more effectively on the surface of your eyes.
Do I need a prescription for Ilube eye drops?
Answer:
Yes, you’ll need a prescription for Ilube drops. They’re usually only used if other eye drops haven’t worked, so a clinician will need to check they’re the right choice for you. A clinician will also need to check you’re not using another medication that could interact with Ilube and make sure you use it correctly.
Why should I buy Ilube eye drops online with Treated?
Answer:
We can make dry eye treatment less painful. If you have chronic dry eyes, just tell us about your health and we can recommend some treatments for you. Then you can order from us and we’ll deliver straight to your door. We also offer flexible subscriptions, so your Ilube eye drops will arrive on time each month without you having to reorder.
When you order with Treated, you’ll also get access to our team of experts who are available anytime if you have questions about your treatment. We’ll check in with you to make sure your treatment is working and give you any advice you might need.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Management of moderate-to-severe dry eye disease using chitosan-N-acetylcysteine (Lacrimera®) eye drops: a retrospective case series. International Ophthalmology, 40(6), pp.1547-1552.
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